a day later, it was a nod to the economy. the president promoting small business saturday by gift shopping at a local washington bookstore with the first daughters. and maybe it's the holiday season, but in an interview with abc's barbara walters on friday night, the president was downright optimistic, despite the fact -- despite facing the grinch-like poll numbers of his presidency. saying, quote, the good thing when you're down is usually you've got nowhere to go but up. let's get right to our panel here in new york, msnbc political analyst, jonathan alder, and in washington, msnbc analyst and former rnc chairman, michael steele. and who is never grinchly, michael steele. >> no, never. >> in the spirit of the holiday season, i would like you to tell us, as we're 11 or 12 days before the next recess, what have the republican members of congress, other than throwing a lot of shade at healthcare.gov, what have they fliaccomplished 2013? >> not a lot. that's obvious. this congress has done very, very little. there are eight wor